Hexagonal carton



July 5, 193s. D, A, SNYDER 2,123,147

HEXAGONAL CARTON Filed Jan. 5, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l Mza July 5, 193s.D. A. SNYDER 2,123,147

HEXAGONAL 'CARTON Filed Jan. 3, 1938 s sheets-sheet 2 July 5, 193s. D.A. SNYDER 2,123,147

HEXAGONAL. CARTON Filed Jan. Z, 19,38 J5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 5,193sv A UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE HEXAGONAL CARTON Donald A. Snyder,Neenah, Wis., assignor to Marathon Paper Mills Company, Rothschild,Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 3, 1938, Serial No.183,075

10 Claims.

This invention relates to cartons or boxes, and more particularly tosuch containers as are made from unitary blanks of foldable material.

` One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novelcarton which may be formed from aunitary piece of foldable material, thecarton blank being readily formed by a suitable die and its elementsbeing easily foldable into proper relation to form the complete carton.

Another object is to provide a cartonof hexagonal cross-section whichmay be easily and economically formed from a unitary blank of foldablematerial.

A still further object of this invention is to provide improved meansfor fastening the end closure flaps against displacement.

Another object of this invention resides in'the improved construction.of the ends of such a container, which will eectively seal the containeragainst leakage and at the same time permit easy operation of theopening and closing of the same. A further object is to provide acontainer of the character aforesaid which may be shipped in atknocked-down condition by the manufacturer to the user and set up bythelatter preparatory to placing the goods in it Without the use of specialequipment, adhesives or the like. Y

A still further object is to provide an integral carton blank of novelshape which may be quickly and easily folded to form a carton ofhexagonal cross-section.

These and other objects will appear morefu'lly from a consideration ofthe detailed description of the invention which follows. Although onlyone embodiment of the invention has been de-fr scribed and illustratedin the accompanying drawings, it is to be expressly understood thatthese drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not tobe construed as a. limitation of the scope vof the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appendedclaims.

In the drawingsz v Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of blank fromwhich a carton maygbe constructed in accordance with the presentinvention,

' Figure 2 is a fragmental View of the blank shown in Figure 1 havingone panel folded over and glued, v

Figure 3 is a plan view of the completed carton folded Hat for shipment,

Figure 4 is a fragmental perspective view of the carton with the closureflaps in extended open position,

Figure 5 is a fragmental perspective View of the carton showing theinner closure flap in closed position,

Figure 6 is a fragmental perspective view showing the outer closure flapin partially locked conreference characters indicate like partsthroughout the several views, there is disclosed therein a carton or boxwhich isrmade from a unitary blank of novel shape, the various elementsof the blank being readily foldable to form the complete carton andsuitable means being provided for quickly and easily sealing saidelements in assembled relationship. As shown, the carton is preferablyformed from a unitary blank of any suitable foldable material such ascardboard, having a substantially rectangular body portion suitablyscored transversely along the lines I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 1 in order toform a plurality of panels I0, I I, I2, I3 and I4 which form the sidesof the carton when it is assembled, and panels I 6 and I1, constitutinga. securing or pasting ap. Panel I1 of the pasting flap is adapted to befolded back on itself on score line I inthe position shown in Figure 2having one face thereof glued to panelA I6 by adhesive 40. The outerface of panel Ilqis adapted to be coated with a suitable adhesive andsecured to the outer surface of the opposite end panel I0 as shown inFigure 3 to form the completed carton. If desired, the pasting flap maybe formed of a single panel instead of being folded back on itself.y Inthe preferred form shown, the body portion pf the blank includes sixrectangular panels of equal size for forming a carton having a hexagonalcross-section, but it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to cartons having rectangular sides, or even to sides all of thesame size.

In addition to the body portion comprising the panels forming the sidesof the carton, the blank is also provided with suitable appendages whichare adapted to form the end closures of the carton and which includesuitable means for easily and quickly sealing said closures in place. Inthe form shown, one of the panels intermediate end panels such as panelI3 is scored at its extremi- 55 ties as indicated at 26, beyond whichscore lines the panel is provided with a pair of end flaps 20.

In the embodiment shown, end iiaps 2D are hexag- Y onal in shape andsubstantially equal inarea to the cross-section of the assembled carton,and are adapted to form the outer end closures therefor. In order thatthese end closures may be easily and quickly locked in place, end iapsare provided with slits 30 and 3I which are adapted to receive lockingtongues 22 and 24 provided, respectively, at the ends of panels II andI5 hinged thereto on score lines 9 and 28, respectively. Tongues 22 and24 are provided, respectively, Withscore lines 33 and 32 to facilitateexing of the tongues for insertion in slits 30 and 3l of the endclosures.

In addition to the louter end closure iiaps, just described, suitablemeans have also been provided for furnishing the carton with inner endclosure iiaps in order to insure a thoroughly tight,

leak-proof container especially well adapted for containing ice cream orother comestibles which may be placed in the carton in liquid orsemifrozen condition and then hardened therein so as to assume thecontour of the carton. In the embodiment shown end panel I0 is scored atits extremities as indicated at 8, beyond which score lines said panelis provided with a pair of inner closure flaps I8. These inner aps arealso hexagonal inl shape and of the same size and area as end flaps 20,and equal in area to the crosssection of the assembled carton.

In order to retain the inner' flaps in position when the carton is setup, panels I2 and I4 are provided with score lines 25 and 21'respectively, beyond which are polygonal iiaps 23 and 38, respectively.The said flaps are also free from end closures 20 owing to slits 38 and31.

In forming the carton for shipping in at condition to the user, panel I1is folded back on score line 'I and glued to panel I8 by adhesive 4U, asshown in Figure 2. Panel II is then folded on score line 2, as shown inFigure 3, carrying with it end panel I0. The outer exposed face of thefolded-over panel I'I is then glued by adhesive 40 to the marginalportion of end panel I0 as shown in Figure 3. The outer and inner flaps20 and I8 will then be in superimposed position as shown in Figure 3 andtongues 22 and 24 will be superimposed upon tetragonal iiaps 23 and 38,respectively. 'Ihe carton is shipped to the user in this flat condition.

In using the carton for packaging ice cream or other comestiblestherein, the body of the carton is folded along score lines I, 2, 3, 4,5 and 8 to form a hexagonal body portion, as shown in Figure 4, with theend flaps in extended position. An inner iiap IB at one end of thecarton is then folded on score line 8 to close the end of the carton, asshown in Figure 5. Tetragonal flaps 23 and 38 are then folded over theinner flap. 'I'he end closure iiap 20 is then folded over on score line26 to overlie the inner closure flap, as shown in Figure 6. Tongues 22and 24 are then inserted in slits 30 and 3|, respectively, therebylocking one end of the carton. 'I'he carton is then placed on its closedend and filled at its open end with liquid or semi-liquid ice cream orother comestible. II'he inner and outer closure flaps at the open end ofthe carton are then locked into position in the same order as previouslydescribed and the carton with its contents is then placed in a freezingchamber to harden the contents therein, causing the contents to assumethe hexagonal contour of the carton.

The construction of the carton is such as to provide a smooth continuousinterior surface throughout. The ends of the carton are also smoothinternally as shown in Figure 8. During the lling operation no leakagewill occur at the edges A, B, C, D and E at the inner flaps owing to themanner in which the closure fiaps are constructed and retained inposition.

When the consumer desires to use the contents in the carton, theexposededge of panel I6 is seized and pulled back with the fingers, as shown inFigure 9, thereby breaking the adhesive bond of the folded-back panelI'I to the margin of panel I Il. Owing to the bent panel I1, the cartonis readily opened Without tearing or peeling the iibres on the innerface of the carton. The carton willy open up in substantially flatcondition as shown in Figure 10, and will support the ice cream or othercomestible thereon which can be sliced into slices of hexagonal contourfor individual servings.

'Ihere is thus provided by the present invention a novel form of box orcarton made from a unitary blank of foldable material which is providedwith both inner and outer end closures and novel sealing means forproviding a tight, leak-proof container especially well adapted forcontaining frozen comestibles. 'I'he blank from which the carton isformed comprises a single piece of foldable material of novel shapesuitably scored for quick and easy folding into the desired form. Bothinner and outer end closures are provided, the inner end closuresforming 'a smooth interior. When folded to assembled form, everyexternal edge of the carton isprovided with a complete, ,continuouscovering so as to effectively prevent leakage. 'I'he carton thus formedis simple in structure, and inexpensive of manufacture both as tomaterial and the labor of assembly.

It will be obvious that the invention is not limited to the specificform described andv illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but iscapable of a variety of mechanical embodiments. For example, the panelsforming the sides of the carton may be of any desired shape and sizeinstead of rectangular and equal as shown, and the closure 'flaps may besecured to any of the panels in any desired arrangement other than thatillustrated. Also, it will be understood that the carton may beconstructed in accordance with the present invention with a differentnumber of sides than six, and that the closure flaps may accordinglyvary in cross-section from the hexagonal form shown. Various otherchanges, which will now appear to those skilled in the art, may be madein the form, details of construction and arrangement of the partswithout departing from the spirit of the invention, and reference istherefore to be had to the appended claims for a deiinitlon of thelimits of the invention.

I claim:

1. An integral blank of foldable material for forming a hexagonalcarton, comprising a body portion having six panels for forming thesides of the carton, hexagonal inner closure flaps extending from eachend of one of said panels and forming inner end closures for the ends ofthe carton, polygonal aps extending from each end of two other of saidpanels, said polygonal flaps being adapted to be folded over into facecontact with the said inner closure aps, hexagonal outer closure flapsextending from each end of another of said panels, said outer closureflaps being provided with slits for receiving locking tongues, andlocking tongues extending from each end of 'two iid tid

other of said panels adapted to be inserted in said slits for lockingthe outer closure flaps.

2, An integral blank of foldable material for forming a hexagonalcarton, comprising a body portion having a' rectangular terminal paneland five adjacent rectangular panels forming the sides of the carton,hexagonal inner closure flaps extending from each end of the saidterminal panel and forming inner end closures for the ends of thecarton,Vl a pasting flap hinged to the opposite terminal panel adaptedto be glued to the marginal portion of said first terminal panel,polygonal flaps extending from each end of two other of said panels,said polygonal flaps being adapted to be folded over into face contactwith the said' inner closurefiaps, hexagonal outer closure flapsextending from each end of another of said panels, said outer closureflaps being provided with slits for receiving locking tongues, andlocking tongues extending from each end of two other of said panelsadapted to be inserted in said slits for locking the outer closureilaps.

3. AnI integral blank of foldable material for forming a hexagonalcarton, `comprising a body portion having a first terminal panel, asecond adjacent panel, a third adjacent panel, a fourth adjacent panel,a ilfth adjacent panel, and a second terminal panel adjacent saidliifthpanel for forming the sides of the carton, hexagonal inner closure flapsextending from each end of the said first terminal panel and forminginner end closures for the ends of vthe carton, polygonal flapsextending from each endof the said third and fifth panels, saidpolygonal flaps being adapted to be folded over into face contact withthe said inner closure flaps, hexagonal outer closure naps extendingfrom each end of the said fourth panel, said outer closure flaps beingprovided with slits for receiving locking tongues, and locking tonguesextending from each end of said second panel and said second terminalpanel adapted to be inserted in said slits for locking the outer closureflaps.

ll. An integral blank of foldable material for forming a hexagonalcarton, comprising a body portion having a first terminal panel, asecond adjacent panel, a third adjacent panel, a fourth adjacent panel,a fth panel and a second terminal panel adjacent said fifth panel forforming the sides of the carton, a pasting iiap hinged to the saidsecond terminal panel adapted to be glued to the marginal portion ofthe' said first terminal panel, hexagonal inner closure flaps extendingfrom each end of the said first terminal panel and forming inner endclosures for the ends of the carton, polygonal flaps extending from eachend of the said third and fifth panels, said polygonal flaps beingadapted to be folded over into face contact with the said inner closureaps, hexagonal outer closure iiaps extending from each end of the saidfourth panel, said outer closure flaps being provided with slits forreceiving locking tongues, and llocking tongues extending from each endof said second panel and said second terminal panel adapted to beinserted in said slits for locking the outer closurer flaps.

5u im integral blank of foldable material for forming a hexagonalcarton, comprising a body portion having a first terminal panel, asecond adjacent panel, a third adjacent panel, a fourth adjacent panel,a fifth adjacent panel and a second terminal panel adjacent said fifthpanel for forming the sides of the carton, a pasting nap hinged to saidsecond terminal panel, the marginal portion of said pasting flap beingfolded back on itself and secured to said pasting flap, the exposed faceportion of said marginal portion lbeing glued to the exposed marginalportion of the said first terminal panel to provide a grasping portionfor opening the carton, hexagonal inner closure ilaps extending fromeach end of the said first terminal panel and forming inner end closuresfor the ends of the carton, polygonal naps extending from each end ofthe said third and fifth panels, said polygonal flaps being adapted tobe folded over into face contact With the said inner closure flaps,hexagonal outer closure flaps extending from each end of the said fourthpanel, said outer closure iiaps being provided with slits for receivinglocking tongues. and locking tongues extending from "each end of saidsecond panel and said second terminal paneladapted to be inserted insaid slits for locking the outer closure flaps.

6. A carton formed from an integral blank of i'oldable materialincluding a body portion having a terminal panel and five adjacentpanels for forming the sides of the carton, hexagona.l inner closureflaps extending from4 each end oi saidterminal panel and forminginnerend clog eures for the ends of the carton, a 'pasting' flap hinged tothe opposite terminal panel andsecured -to the marginal portion of saidfirst terminal panel, polygonal dans extending from each end of twoother of said panels, said polygonal flaps being adapted to be foldedover into face contact with the said inner closure aps, hexagonal outerclosure naps extending from each end of another of said panels, saidouter closure flaps being provided with slits for receiving lockingtongues, and locking tongues extending from each end of two other ofsaid panels adapted to be inserted in said slits for locking the outerclosure flaps, thereby'providing internallycontinuous walls and asubstantially leak-proof construction.

'7. A carton formed from an integral blank of foldable materialincluding a body portion having a first terminal panel, a secondadjacent panel, a third adjacent panel, a fourth adjacent panel, a fifthadjacent panel, and a second terminal panel adjacent said dfth panel forforming the sides of the carton, heonal inner closure naps extendingirom each end of the said first terminal panel and forming inner endclosures for the ends of the carton, polygonal flaps extending frorneach end of the said third and mth panels, said polygonal flaps beingadapted to he folded over into face contact with the said inner closureflaps, hexagonal outer closure flaps extending from each end of the saidfourth panel, said outer closure aps being provided with slits forreceiving locking tongues. and locking tongues extending from each endof said second panel and said second terminal panel adapted to beinserted in said slits for locking the outer cio-4 sure flaps, therebyproviding internally continuous walls and a substantially leak-proofconstruction. g

d. An integral blank of foldable material for forming a hexagonalcarton, comprising a body V ..portion having a first terminalpanel, asecond adjacent panel, a third adjacent panel, a fourth adjacent panel,a fifth adjacent panel, and a second terminal panel adjacent said fifthpanel for forming the sides of the carton, hexagonal inner closure napsextending from each end of the said rst terminal panel and forming innerend closures for the ends of the carton, polygonal flaps extending fromeach end of the said third and fth panels, said polygonal flaps beingadapted to be folded over into face contact with 4the outer closureiiaps, said locking tongues bel Alng scored to facilitate insertion insaid slits.

9. An integral blank of foldable material for forming a polygonalcarton, comprising a body portion having a yplurality of panels forforming the sides of the carton, polygonal inner closure flaps extendingfrom each end of one of said panels and forming inner end closures forthe ends of the carton, polygonal aps extending from each end of twoother of said panels, said polygonal ilaps being adaptedto be foldedover into face contact with the said inner closure flaps, polygonalouter closure flaps extending from each end of another of said panels,said outer closure flaps being provided with slits for receiving lockingtongues, and locking tongues extending from each end of two other ofsaid panels adapted to be.

amara? inserted in said slits for locking the outer closure aps.

. 10. An integral blank of foldable material for forming a polygonalcarton, comprising a body portion having a rectangular terminal paneland ve adjacent rectangular panels forming the sides of the carton,polygonal inner closure flaps extending from each end of the saidterminal panel and forming inner end closures for the ends of thecarton, a pasting flap hinged to the opposite terminal panel adapted tobe glued to the marginal portion of said rstvterminal panel, polygonalnaps extending from each end of two other of said panels, said polygonalflaps being adapted to be folded over into face contact with the saidinner closure aps, polygonal outer closure flaps extending from each endof another of said panels, said outer closure ilaps being provided withslits for receiving locking tongues, and locking tongues extending fromeach end of two other of said panels adapted to be inserted in saidslits for locking the outer closure flaps.

DONALD A. SNYDER.

